“How are you, sweetheart?”
Dax’s voice is smooth and masculine, and I can understand how women fall for his charms. He makes you feel safe and secure. Unlike most human traffickers, who use, abuse and beat the women they sell, Dax traffics in a way that’s smart and calculated, and keeps him flying under the radar.
He’s smarter than most people give him credit for.
“I’m not doing so well,” I lie, putting on my soft, innocent, broken voice. Gone is all the sass, and the smart attitude, and the strong woman.
When Dax is around, I put on my show. I act like a broken, damaged girl who needs him to fix all her broken pieces, just like the club ordered.
The only way I can bring information back to them, and help bring this man down, is to put on the best damned show of my life.
“What’s happened?” he asks.
“Well, my ex came around and he . . . he begged for me to come back. He had drugs, and I thought . . . I thought maybe we could make it work, but then I remembered what you said about having a better life, so I told him no and he lost it. He hit me.”
“He hit you?” Dax asks, sounding so genuinely pissed that it makes me angry, so damned angry, because he’s extremely good at what he’s doing.
“Yeah,” I say softly, my voice hoarse. “Only once. I kicked him out, but I think he’ll probably keep trying.”
“I think it’s best if you come and spend the night here, then. We don’t want you around if he does come back later. I’ve got a few people I want you to meet, and we’re having a nice dinner. What do you say?”
I hesitate, even though I know damn well I’m going to go. “I don’t know . . .”
“C’mon, honey. It’ll be great.”
“Okay,” I say. “I guess. What time?”
“Anytime you’re ready.”
“I’ll see you soon then.”
I hang up and put the phone down, exhaling. Even though it’s just an act, and I know what kind of monster lurks deep in Dax’s soul, talking to him is strangely . . . confusing. Just for a moment, I think he’s actually a nice man. I can see how easily he would manipulate someone who really was damaged.
I glance out the window, and then curse loudly when I realize what I’ve just done. I just told Dax I’d been hit. If I don’t go over there with a black eye, he’s going to get suspicious. I didn’t even think—I honestly didn’t even realize what I was saying until this moment. It made sense, and it was a good story but now I realize it was a damned stupid one.
God dammit.
You idiot, Waverly.
With a growl, I turn and walk out of the room and make my way down to the living area where Mykel is sitting with Samson. The two of them are discussing something, both wearing full colors, so no doubt they’re only here for a moment.
“I need one of you to hit me.”
Both of them turn and stare at me, heads tilted in confusion.
“I told Dax my ex-boyfriend hit me. I didn’t even think that I’d have to have evidence of that until he invited me over. If I go over and I don’t have a black eye, it’s going to look really, really bad and he’s going to catch on. So, I need one of you to hit me.”
“Yeah, that’s never goin’ to fuckin’ happen,” Samson mutters. “I do not hit women.”
“Neither do I,” Mykel murmurs.
“Though I’m sure you’ve thought about hitting me a few times,” I point out.
Mykel glares at me.
“Come on, if I don’t go over there with a bruise, they’re going to know I lied. It’ll blow the whole cover.”
“It’s dangerous—a man my size hittin’ a small woman like you. Could fuckin’ kill you. No way is it worth it.”
Frustrated, I throw my hands in the air. “Someone has to take the risk.”
“I’m not hitting you,” Samson tells me, his voice stern.
“Neither,” Mykel mutters.
“Jesus, fine. I’ll go pick a fight in the street and risk my own damn life then . . .” I spin around.
Mykel yells out, “Stop.”
I look back at him.
“I know someone who will give you a black eye without second thought . . .”
“Who?” Samson and I both say at the same time.
“Sissy.”
“Who is Sissy?”
“Alarick’s evil sister,” Samson mutters, and then grins. “But she’d love to do something like this for us.”
“Oh, I’m sure she would,” I say, grinning. “But we need to get it done soon. How quickly can we get her here?”
“I’ll call her,” Samson says, pulling out his phone and walking out of the room.
“Does Alarick know you’re goin’ to see Dax?” Mykel asks, studying me in a way that almost makes me uncomfortable, it’s so intense.
Almost.
“Not yet. I’m about to call him.”
“You better do it soon.”
“Yes, boss,” I mutter.
Samson walks back into the room. “She’ll be here in five. She’s happy to do it.”
“I’m a little alarmed at the fact that she’s so excited to come over and hit a stranger in the face, but right now, I’ll take it. Which side do you think she should go for?” I say, turning my head left and then right.
Mykel mutters something and walks out of the room.
Samson chuckles, and tells me, “Honey, you’re pretty no matter which side she picks.”
I smile at him. “Well, I think I like you.”
He grins and winks at me.
Five minutes later, the most gorgeous woman I’ve seen in quite some time comes strolling through the front door. She’s tall and spectacular, and there’s no doubt about the fact that she’s Alarick’s sister. The two of them are scarily alike. Sissy has long, thick dark hair and eyes that are such a pretty green, they’re almost unbelievable. They’re not complex in color like Mykel’s—they’re more a
